PLANTS

The New Forest in Hampshire, England, also has a huge
variety of plants, many of which are virtually extinct elsewhere in
England.
Apart from its famous trees, we find pastureland, heather, fern,
orchids, sundew, bog aspodel, sphagnum moss, gentian, violets, spurge,
butcher's broom, mushrooms and fungi galore.
The bogs of the New Forest are extensive and contribute much of the
character of the New Forest. They demand your greatest respect.

In the summer, the bright green Sphagnum moss can be seen at
the base of the heather. A gentle squeeze will fill your boot
with masses of stagnant water. Also found are the little red rosettes
of the Sundew plant. Rare elesewhere in Britain, the Sundew is
noted for its sticky hairs which trap and eat insects. The shrub
Bog Myrtle lends an all-pervading fragrance, together with the
pretty yellow stars of the Bog Aspodel, Club Mosses,
and the purple flowered Marsh Gentian.The distinctive white
tufts of the Cotton Grass appear in the worst areas, and are a
warning sign not to venture into a treacherous area.

Deep in the heart of the oldest parts of the forest, shooting up from
the violets in Spring, the vivid yellow heads of the Spurge can be
found besides the deepest green of the Butcher's Broom. This
latter plant is very unusual. It has spiky 'leaves' which are in
reality flattened stems. The proof of this is the tiny white
star-like flowers which can be found on close inspection of the
centre of the 'leaf'. These develop over many months into stunning
red fruits. The presence of spurge and butcher's broom together is an
strong indicator of an ancient wood.